Lowes holds the distinction of being the poorest town in Kentucky, with a staggering poverty rate of 79.9%.
This is dramatically higher than the state average of 16.1% and the national average of 12.5%.
Other towns with extremely high poverty rates include Gilbertsville (77.6%), Hiseville (74.3%), and New Hope (74.3%), but Lowes tops the list.
Other Notably Impoverished Towns
- Gilbertsville: 77.6% poverty rate
- Hiseville: 74.3% poverty rate
- New Hope: 74.3% poverty rate
- Flat Lick: 73.6% poverty rate
Why Lowes?
The extremely high poverty rate in Lowes reflects deep economic challenges faced by many small rural communities in Kentucky.
While towns like Beattyville and Bowling Green are often cited for low incomes or high poverty in national media, the most recent data confirms Lowes as the town with the highest proportion of residents living in poverty in the state.
Lowes is currently recognized as the poorest town in Kentucky by poverty rate, highlighting the ongoing struggles in some of the state’s smallest communities
Sources:
- https://zipatlas.com/us/ky/city-comparison/highest-poverty.htm
- https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-kentucky/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hoq6gNVrAo
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-12-20-the-poorest-city-in-kentucky/